Getting Started with Generative Engine Optimization
Learn the fundamentals of GEO and how to optimize your content for AI-powered search experiences.
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is the practice of optimizing content to be cited by AI-powered search engines. As AI Overviews become more prevalent, understanding GEO is essential for content teams.
What Makes GEO Different from SEO?
Traditional SEO focuses on ranking in the organic results. GEO focuses on being the source that AI systems cite when generating answers. While the fundamentals overlap, GEO requires a different approach to content structure and authority signals.
Key GEO Principles
1. Answer Questions Directly
AI systems look for content that directly answers user queries. Structure your content with clear, extractable answers near the top of relevant sections.
2. Demonstrate E-E-A-T
Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness matter even more for GEO. AI systems are trained to prioritize credible sources.
3. Build Comprehensive Coverage
AI systems prefer sources that demonstrate deep topical expertise. Build content clusters that cover topics thoroughly.
Getting Started
The first step is understanding where you stand. Use seoIQ to track which of your pages are being cited in AI Overviews and identify opportunities to improve.